April 15, 2021
While fish are similar in having fins, gills, tails, and usually scales, in other ways they can be surprising. Shumaker's debut picture book introduces a variety of unusual fish grouped into 18 different examples of intriguing appearances or behaviors. She introduces her categories page by page, with single lines of rhyming couplets in a large, legible type: "Some fish dance and some play dead. / One fish sports a see-through head!" The groupings seem arbitrary, as is often the case for collections of curiosities, but the facts are certainly interesting and generally accurate. The page designs vary widely. Some spreads are filled with cheerful cartoons full of different fish species. Other pages feature a single fish, sometimes with further details and labels in a smaller font. These fish have googly eyes and expressive faces but are reasonably recognizable in appearance. Many pages include a box with further facts--but not always the same kinds of facts. Beyond the species name, there might be observations, field notes, or a relevant question. Most fish also have a "freakiness" or "funkiness" rating displayed, as if that, too, were a fact like its interesting behavior or location. Three pages of backmatter give more information about fish that zap, sting, sing, and so on. Pair with Corinne Demas and Artemis Roehrig's Do Jellyfish Like Peanut Butter?, illustrated by Ellen Shi (2020), for more marine fun. An odd assortment designed for entertainment over education. (further learning, selected sources) (Informational picture book. 4-8)
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July 1, 2021
This playful and informational survey is simultaneously enlightening and enthralling. A simple rhyme pattern persists throughout the book, starting off with some basic fish facts: "Fish have fins and gills and tails. / All fish swim and most have scales." From this point on, however, the odd-factor is dialed way up to highlight unusual fish behavior from around the globe, including (but not limited to) snot-producing parrotfish, dancing sticklebacks, and shrinking anglerfish. While brief, Shumaker's rhyming stanzas read fluidly and at times even address the reader: "One fish squeezes out some slime. / Did you know that some fish climb?" The humorous illustrations approach caricature but never cross that line thanks to Powell's attention to accurate form, color, and behavior. Pleasing layouts reflect a scrapbook aesthetic, featuring an array of paper types (notebook pages, gridlines) and typefaces. A variety of informational captions accompanies each featured fish and adds to the informal tone of the book; for example, a (somewhat subjective) freaky/funky rating is listed for each fish. Back matter includes extensive information about all of the unusual behaviors, further reading, recommended links, and selected sources. Patrick Gall
(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
July 1, 2021
This playful and informational survey is simultaneously enlightening and enthralling. A simple rhyme pattern persists throughout the book, starting off with some basic fish facts: "Fish have fins and gills and tails. / All fish swim and most have scales." From this point on, however, the odd-factor is dialed way up to highlight unusual fish behavior from around the globe, including (but not limited to) snot-producing parrotfish, dancing sticklebacks, and shrinking anglerfish. While brief, Shumaker's rhyming stanzas read fluidly and at times even address the reader: "One fish squeezes out some slime. / Did you know that some fish climb?" The humorous illustrations approach caricature but never cross that line thanks to Powell's attention to accurate form, color, and behavior. Pleasing layouts reflect a scrapbook aesthetic, featuring an array of paper types (notebook pages, gridlines) and typefaces. A variety of informational captions accompanies each featured fish and adds to the informal tone of the book; for example, a (somewhat subjective) freaky/funky rating is listed for each fish. Back matter includes extensive information about all of the unusual behaviors, further reading, recommended links, and selected sources.
(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)